Amid the crisis ravaging the University of Abuja (UniAbuja) over the imposition of acting Vice Chancellor Prof Aisha Maikudi as the substantive Vice-Chancellor without due process, over 50 Professors and other senior lecturers are protesting at the Federal Ministry of Education against the charade.
The Bureau Newspaper learnt that the protest which is currently ongoing at the front of the Federal Ministry of Education, was to compel the minister to do the needful and dissolve the council and the charade called the appointment of a VC.
According to one of the sources, the lecturers who are currently at the front of the Ministry of Education, wondered why the Minister was so lenient in taking action against the illegal appointment of Vice Chancellor in UniAbuja, but he was quick in intervening at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU) Vice Chancellor’s appointment.
The source wondered what had changed in the two appointments if the Minister of Education could wield his power in Anambra and now reluctant to do the same in Abuja.
“I guess the protest is for the minister to do the needful to dissolve the council and the charade called appointment of a VC.
“The process by all standards is against the law and laid down procedures and if the Minister finds what is done in Awka wrong; why is he dragging his feet on that of UniAbuja. Who is really behind the illegality,” the source said.
The Bureau Newspaper also gathered that the lecturers would hold a world press conference to condemn the foot dragging of the ministry of education in the illegal appointment of VC in UniAbuja.
The Bureau Newspaper reported on December 31, that the University of Abuja’s Senate members passed a vote of no confidence on the Governing Council, citing manipulation of the Vice-Chancellor appointment process and breach of university laws.
In a letter to the Minister of Education, dated December 27 and signed by 43 Senate members, the senators expressed their loss of faith in the Governing Council’s ability to appoint a qualified VC.
The letter which The Bureau Newspaper obtained on Monday evening, urged the Minister to dissolve the Governing Council, declare their proceedings null and void, and reconstitute a new council to oversee a fresh and fair appointment process.
Titled, “complaint regarding the manipulation of Vice Chancellor appointment processes at the University of Abuja,” they warned that failure to address their concerns could have far-reaching consequences for the university and Nigeria’s higher education system.
Interestingly, the development comes after a Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a suit filed by six senior lecturers against the university’s Vice Chancellor, citing that the suit was statute-barred.
The court’s decision may have paved the way for the Senate members to take a stand against the Governing Council’s actions.
“Thus, we urge you to take immediate corrective action to restore the integrity of the process by dissolving the Governing Council, declare their proceedings null and void, reconstitute a new Governing Council to superintend fresh and free process that will lead to the appointment of a substantive Vice Chancellor for the University of Abuja.
“Failure to address our concerns will have far-reaching consequences for the University and the higher education system in Nigeria as other Governing Councils will gladly emulate this ugly and unfortunate path taken by the University of Abuja Governing Council.”
On December 24, that a tense scene unfolded at the University of Abuja when the acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Aisha Maikudi, allegedly deployed over 30 local vigilantes to disrupt a Senate meeting, allegedly assaulting professors in the process.
It had also been reported that professors at the university staged a protest earlier before the meeting against the selection process for the new VC, sparking a heated controversy within the institution.
At the heart of the issue is the alleged attempt by the acting VC and some others to manipulate the selection process.
In a move that sparked outrage, the acting VC had scheduled a meeting last Tuesday at 9am to replace Senate members on the joint selection board who refused to endorse a rigged selection process.
The Senate maintained that the deliberate irregularities currently witnessed in the University clearly indicate the insensitivity, brutal attack on and disregard for laws and procedures, and gross determination by the Governing Council to ensure that the Acting Vice Chancellor succeed herself at all cost.
“This situation undermines the credibility of the appointment process and the principles of fairness, equity, and merit that should guide the selection of a Vice Chancellor.
“The flawed process also jeopardize the reputation and autonomy of the University of Abuja as an academic institution of excellence.”
The 43 Senate members who signed the letter are: “Professor Olanrewaju Aladeitan, Prof. Umaru D. Muhammed, Prof. Mabel I.E Evwiohana, Prof. Jude Omeje, Prof. Effiok Bassey Uwatt, Prof. Ifeoma Echezona, Prof. S.A.J Obansa, Dr. Yekeen Abdulmalik, Prof. F. N Ogwueleka, Prof. M.O Durojaye, Prof. Ndana R.W, Prof. W.D Nafarnda, Prof. O.F Ajagbona, Prof. Yusuf Ahmadu, Prof. Yau Muhammed Damagum, Prof. Abdulhamid Ozohu-Suleiman and Prof. Philip Akpen.”
Others are: “Prof. Rosemary Udeozor, Prof. Otaki Alananan, Prof. Simon Abochol, Prof. Saleh Dauda, Prof. Muhammed A. Katcha, Prof. J.O Ogedendenge, Prof. Aisuodionoe-Shadrach O.I, Prof Sani Saka, Prof. Yusuf Zoaka, Prof. Muktar A. Muhammed, Prof. J.J. Ndana, Prof. Nkiruka C. Odoh, Prof. Ejeikwu E.O., Prof. Simon M.K, Prof. M.U Ndagi, Prof. Obida Gobna, Prof. Shimawua Atimga, Dr. Sylvester S.
“Prof. C.B.I Alaw, Prof. A. M Maisamari, Prof. I.C. Nnadi, Prof. G.M Oladele, Prof. Uwakwe Abugu, Prof. James Ojobo, Prof. Magdalene Igbolo and Prof. Ishaya M. Dagwa.”
